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The global challenge

Today, 805 million people go hungry. By 2050, we will need to find food for an estimated two billion additional people. With 80% of food consumed in developing regions grown by small-scale farmers, we must find a sustainable food system that works for smallholders.

Achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger presents an enormous challenge at both the individual and global levels. With food demand expected to grow by more than 70% by 2050, but with food production not set to keep pace, how do we feed the world?

Investing in the planet’s 500 million smallholders in developing countries is vital for increasing food and nutritional security while supplying local and global food markets. To end hunger, major challenges must be overcome, including the control of crop pests – responsible for up to 40% of crop losses – and raising awareness of agricultural best practice and nutritional information.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

CABI envisions a world where we can grow more and lose less, increasing food and nutrition security and improving rural livelihoods by reducing crop losses.

Our action

CABI helps smallholder farmers to improve their crop yields, tackle pests and diseases, and find alternatives to pesticides. With our help, farmers are gaining access to better planting materials and seeds, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices such as the use of organic fertilisers.

Examples of our work

The CABI-led Plantwise programme aims to contribute to the SDGs by improving farmers’ yields and incomes while reducing the use of toxic pesticides. We also help countries improve their plant health systems, so that they can prevent and manage pest outbreaks more effectively.

By sharing our expertise in invasive species management through advisory services like Plantwise, we also increase the supply of safer food into agricultural value chains and trade. As a result, farmers are able to produce and trade more and safer food.